Prior art

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Prior art#

Web apps#

  • D’Addario String Tension Pro – https://www.daddario.com/string-tension-pro/

    • has been down for some time, partially inspiring this work

    • but I remember it being pretty nice

    • (back in a beta “2.0” version in June 2024)

  • https://stringtensioncalculator.com/

    • specifically for Kalium strings

    • somewhat similar to D’Addario String Tension Pro (from what I remember)

    • select scale length (0.25” increments), pitch, and gauge -> shows tension and frequency

    • shows 6 (or more) strings at once

    • scale length presets include a few multi-scale options

    • source: aaronabramov/string-tension-calculator

  • Shelquist – https://wahiduddin.net/calc/calc_guitar_tension_from_size.htm

    • input scale length (in | cm), diameter (in | mm), pitch class, octave -> shows tension in lb and kg for several D’Addario steel-core string types

    • lots of info on the page

    • some nice messages if tension is too high or low

  • Curt Mangan – https://www.curtmangan.com/string-tension-calculator/

    • 6, 7, or 8 strings

    • multiple scale length presets, including many multi-scale, but can’t set your own

    • (guitar / electric bass focused)

    • standard tuning default, but a selector allows tuning down all strings by 1–4 half steps

    • for each string individually, can change gauge and pitch

    • shows tension plot and sum

  • Stringjoy – https://tension.stringjoy.com/

    • some useful info on the page

    • for Stringjoy strings

    • select string type, # of strings (6–9 | 12), scale length (any float, inches)

    • for each string individually, can change scale length, pitch, gauge

    • shows individual tensions and total tension interactively (i.e. don’t need to submit)

  • Theo Parmakis – http://chordgen.rattree.co.uk/tensiontool.php

    • some useful info on the page (« show more information… »)

    • unique feature: offers presets for different instruments, including different tunings

    • reference presets “are mostly based upon my own instruments, and the gauges I usually string them with”

    • once, you find a preset you like, click and can edit

    • for whole set, can change scale length (any float, in | mm), string material, winding material (can’t set individually), whether to double all

    • for each string, can change pitch, plain or wound, string material (steel, nylon, gut, Nylgut), gauge, single or double

    • shows tensions for each course and the total

    • unique feature: “equalize” button, defaults to tension on top string but can choose which one you want to equalize to

    • based on the D’Addario data but also extrapolating to some other materials

    • can show tension (lb), string gauge, and frequency (Hz) plots

    • nice text format, e.g. .026 w N @ 25" = 13.165 lb

    • can handle strings starting arbitrarily further up the fretboard (after the @ in the tuning editor)

    • purports to offer the source code, but the link currently (2022-04-15) doesn’t work

  • https://rodrigocfd.github.io/string-tension-calc/

    • compare multiple string sets using string tensions and a tension plot (though not total tension)

    • electric guitar focused, including a few 7- and 8-string sets

    • after selecting a set, can adjust individual strings (gauge and plain/wound) and pitches (-5–+1 half steps)

    • can also choose to tune down the whole set by up to 4 half steps, like the Curt Mangan app

    • source: rodrigocfd/string-tension-calc

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